To Clamber vs Clambering Infinitives & Gerunds

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To clamber (Infinitive)

Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to clamber" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action

Example

I want to clamber up the mountain to enjoy the view.

Clambering (Gerund)

Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "clambering" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.

Example

Clambering over rocks can be an exhilarating adventure.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To clamber (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To clamber requires strength and agility.

  To clamber requires strength and agility.

  • "*To clamber*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (strength and agility).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to clamber over the rocks with her.

  She wants me to clamber over the rocks with her.

  • "Me *to clamber* over the rocks with her" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to clamber* over the rocks with her).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need sturdy shoes to clamber safely.

  I need sturdy shoes to clamber safely.

  • "*To clamber* safely" modifies the noun "shoes."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (sturdy shoes *to clamber* safely).

Clambering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Clambering requires both strength and balance.

  Clambering requires both strength and balance.

  • "*Clambering*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (both strength and balance).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy clambering on the jungle gym.

  I enjoy clambering on the jungle gym.

  • "*Clambering* on the jungle gym" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*clambering* on the jungle gym).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of clambering at great heights.

  She has a fear of clambering at great heights.

  • "Of *clambering* at great heights" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *clambering* at great heights).

Verbs Taking Infinitives/Gerunds as Objects

The following are verbs that can take only the base form of the verb (infinitive), only the -ing form (gerund), or both.

Verbs Taking Infinitives as Objects

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

They plan to clamber up the tree to retrieve the ball.

I hope to clamber to the top of the waterfall.

He wants to clamber across the rope bridge.

We decided to clamber through the narrow cave.

They agreed to clamber up the steep hill together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys clambering up the rock walls at the gym.

They recommend clambering as a fun outdoor activity.

I dislike the feeling of clambering in tight spaces.

She avoids clambering on unstable surfaces.

Can you imagine yourself clambering over a rocky terrain?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to clamber on the fallen trees in the forest. They like clambering on the fallen trees in the forest.

He started to clamber up the mountain trail. He started clambering up the mountain trail.

We began to clamber over the boulders. We began clambering over the boulders.